How-to guide · LocalPDF
How to merge a resume and cover letter into one PDF
Many ATS portals and email recruiters still want a single PDF. Merging a resume and cover letter seems trivial — until the “free” tool uploads both. This guide walks through a private browser merge with LocalPDF, correct page order, and what to do if the combined file trips a size limit.
By: LocalPDF Team · Updated 2026-07-31
Step-by-step
- Export resume and cover letter each as PDF on your computer.
- Open Merge PDF on https://www.openlocalpdf.com/merge/.
- Add both files; use Up/Down to set letter vs resume order.
- Click Merge PDF — combination runs locally in the browser.
- Download and open the file; check page one is what you intended.
- If a portal caps size, run Compress on the merged result.
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Why recruiters ask for one file
One attachment survives forwarding, printing, and ATS parsers better than two loose files. Naming is simpler: JaneDoe_Role.pdf instead of juggling v3 drafts.
You still control order: cover letter first vs resume first depends on the employer. When unsure, follow the posting; default in many US apps is resume then letter, while some ask letter first.
Privacy on job packets
Resumes include phone, address, and employment history. Cover letters may mention current employers. Uploading both to a random merger is unnecessary risk when pdf-lib can concatenate in-tab.
Order, filenames, and export hygiene
Export each source from Word/Google Docs as PDF first. Then merge. Use Up/Down in LocalPDF so the first listed file becomes the first section of the output.
- Agree order with the job post
- Avoid merging scanned photo resumes if a text PDF exists
- Name the download with role + your name
- Open once to ensure no blank trailing page
If the combined PDF is too large
Text resumes rarely blow limits. Problems appear with designed portfolios or scanned certificates appended. Split out extras or Compress the final merge.
ATS and design caveats
Merge does not fix ATS-unfriendly layouts. Keep standard fonts where possible. Merge only stitches pages — it does not rewrite content.
FAQ
Cover letter first or resume first? +
Follow the employer. If unspecified, many applicants put resume first; some industries prefer the letter first.
Is merge free? +
Yes on LocalPDF for personal use, no account, no extra watermark from us.
Will merge hurt ATS parsing? +
Merge itself copies pages. ATS issues usually come from heavy graphics in the source files, not from concatenation.
Do you upload my resume? +
No. Merge is client-side.
Can I add transcripts too? +
Yes — add more PDFs in order. For large scans, compress after merge.
Password-protected PDFs? +
Unlock first; encrypted files may not load.